Can Bayer Leverkusen halt Bayern Munich's title charge?
Bayern Munich hold a healthy 11-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga but know they can't afford to take their eye off the ball on a visit to top four-chasing Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Unlike in previous years, Leverkusen aren’t fighting for top domestic honours this season, but with UEFA Champions League qualification still firmly within reach, they - like Bayern - have plenty to play for heading into the business end of the Bundesliga season.
The Bavarians haven’t won at the BayArena in the Bundesliga since a 5-1 thrashing back in October 2021. However, with Bayern and Leverkusen currently separated by 22 points, the visitors have momentum on their side, having recovered well from a downturn in form last month.
Watch: Leverkusen target Bayern upset
They’re also no strangers to grinding out wins on enemy soil this season, after defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in their last away game. That victory increased their advantage over Die Schwarzgelben in second place to 11 points with now just nine games to go. A Harry Kane double did the damage in that game, and the England captain is expected to return to Bayern’s starting line-up in Leverkusen after missing last weekend’s 4-1 home triumph against Borussia Mönchengladbach and sitting on the bench for the midweek thrashing of Atalanta.
Watch: Bayern Munich 4-1 Borussia M’gladbach - highlights
By contrast, Bayer come into this weekend’s clash on the back of a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Freiburg and another 1-1 tie with Arsenal on Wednesday. Sitting in sixth place, three points adrift of Stuttgart in fourth, Die Werkself cannot afford too many more slip-ups if they are to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
It's an incredibly congested period for both teams, with Alejandro Grimaldo bemoaning his side's tiredness late in their game at Freiburg. The Spanish wing-back will be afforded a break at the weekend as he serves a suspension for five yellow cards, but that is a major blow to the hosts, given his combined 11 goals and assists in the Bundesliga.
In his absence, defensive solidity will surely be key against the reigning champions. Prior to the Freiburg clash, Leverkusen had recorded four clean sheets in seven Bundesliga games, underlining the impact that summer arrival Jarell Quansah has had since joining the club from Liverpool.
In the reverse fixture, Leverkusen were unable to contain an inspired Bayern side, who cruised to a 3-0 win back in November. The task of stopping the likes of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz becomes looks even more daunting when one looks at the goalscoring charts.
The trio have each scored at least 10 Bundesliga goals, combining for a remarkable 54 in total. Olise is also streaking ahead in the assist chart, with 16 from 25 games. By contrast, Leverkusen’s most efficient goalscoerer is Patrik Schick, who has seven in the Bundesliga this season.
That’s not to say that Bayer can’t threaten their imperious rivals. Ibrahim Maza has proven his quality this season, while Christian Kofane's rise also gives Werkself fans plenty of reasons to be excited heading into the final nine matchdays of the season.
Trying to shut down Leverkusen’s youthful forward line will likely be former club favourite, Jonathan Tah. After swapping the BayArena for the Allianz Arena in the summer, the Germany centre-back has cemented his status as a key player for Bayern, having started 19 of his side’s 25 Bundesliga games to date. Back at his old stomping ground, he’ll be hoping to stem the tide of goals going in at the wrong end, as FCB have conceded five in their last three league matches.
With Manuel Neuer ruled out of the match due to an ongoing calf issue and Jonas Urbig now also set to miss out with concussion, Sven Ulreich will get his first outing of the season and need to shake off any rust quickly.
While this tie isn't quite the title decider of yesteryear, both sides go into it with plenty on the line. For Leverkusen, European qualification remains within reach, while Bayern know that a win edges them ever closer to another league title triumph. It promises to be another unmissable clash between two Bundesliga giants.
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